Claudia Sheinbaum defends land transfer of Ernesto Ruffo Appel

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the decision to transport former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel by land for over 40 hours was a judicial order. Ruffo Appel, who faces charges of organized crime and fuel smuggling, was being moved to his home in Ensenada to serve a sentence under house arrest.

Sheinbaum noted that while she questioned the length of the land journey during a cabinet meeting, authorities informed her that the procedure followed a judge's directive and that Ruffo Appel's defense had agreed to it. She indicated that the Attorney General's Office (FGR) would provide further details regarding the case.

Opposition figures have criticized the government, labeling the 3,000-kilometer land transfer as an act of tyranny. Gustavo de Hoyos, former president of Coparmex, described the move as an attempt to turn Ruffo Appel into a political martyr.